In Loving Memory of Diana Cukar

Born in July 1987, my dear sister, Diana Cukar (Forever 5), was a joyful, smiley, and chatty child. She loved shopping for dresses, with matching shoes always being a must, and she insisted on making me dance with her whenever music was playing. Diana adored Disney World, with Minnie Mouse holding a special place in her heart, and she truly loved school. She even dreamed of becoming a teacher someday. Life was as good as it could be for our family until everything changed when Diana was diagnosed with stage 3 neuroblastoma at just three years old.

For more than two years, Diana endured chemotherapy, radiation, and multiple surgeries, including one to remove a kidney. She eventually entered remission, only to relapse nine months later. At that point, her only treatment option was a bone marrow transplant, and shortly after, my sister passed away. I was a child myself when all of this happened, yet I remember it as if it were yesterday. I remember how happy I felt whenever Diana and my mom came home from the hospital, which seemed to be where they lived most of the time. We were always so excited to be together, and we cherished playing outside whenever she was home.

Through everything, what stands out most to me is Diana’s bravery. I never remember her being scared, not once throughout the entire process. In fact, when she knew she was dying, she told my mom that she wanted to wear her purple dress, pink shoes, and my mom’s engagement ring and wedding tiara for her funeral. Diana died in our mother’s arms, just after my mom, through her own tears, told her it was okay to go.

No family should ever have to experience what ours did, and no child should be robbed of their childhood by enduring aggressive, archaic chemotherapy treatments. I think of Diana all the time and often wonder who she would have become if she had been given the chance. Having her name live on while raising funds for pediatric cancer research means more to me than I can put into words. As you know, PESA works with children of all ages, and having Diana’s name associated with something so positive, helping children fight cancer, is truly a dream come true. I strongly believe that my love for Diana set me on this path to make an impact on children, not only through sports but also through my partnership with Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer.

Infinite Love is a 100 percent volunteer-run 501(c)(3) foundation that provides research grants to our nation’s leading hospitals and proudly supports childhood cancer families both financially and emotionally. Simply put, it’s all in the name. We hope you will consider making a donation to Infinite Love in honor of my sister Diana. The best part is that 100 percent of your donation will go directly toward fulfilling a research grant in Diana’s name.

Thank you for your love and support.
Coach Dan Cukar
Director of PESA

If you prefer to send a check, please make it payable to “Infinite Love for Kids,” write “PESA” in the memo, and mail it to:

ILFKFC
P.O. Box 4064
Middletown, NJ 07748

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